English Grammar: Present Simple & Continuous

Present Simple

• Definition: Used to describe habitual actions, general truths, and facts.

• Structure:

  • Affirmative: Subject + base form of the verb (+s/es for third person singular)
  • Negative: Subject + do/does + not + base form of the verb
  • Interrogative: Do/Does + subject + base form of the verb?

• Examples:

  • Affirmative: She plays soccer every Saturday.
  • Negative: He does not like broccoli.
  • Interrogative: Do you read books regularly?

• Usage:

  • Routines: I go to the gym every morning.
  • Facts: Water boils at 100°C.
  • Scheduled events: The train leaves at 6 PM.

Present Continuous

• Definition: Used to describe actions that are happening right now or ongoing situations.

• Structure:

  • Affirmative: Subject + am/is/are + verb(+ing)
  • Negative: Subject + am/is/are + not + verb(+ing)
  • Interrogative: Am/Is/Are + subject + verb(+ing)?

• Examples:

  • Affirmative: She is playing soccer right now.
  • Negative: He is not eating lunch at the moment.
  • Interrogative: Are you working on your project?

• Usage:

  • Current actions: I am studying for my exam.
  • Temporary situations: They are living in Paris for the summer.
  • Future plans: We are meeting them tomorrow.

Practice Activities

• Fill in the blanks: Convert sentences from present simple to present continuous and vice versa.

  • Example:
    • Present Simple: She reads every evening.
    • Present Continuous: She is reading right now.

• Identify the tense: Given sentences, identify if they are present simple or present continuous.

  • Example:
    • He is cooking dinner. (Present Continuous)

• Create sentences: Write original sentences using both tenses in relation to a specific theme (e.g., daily routines, current events).

• Question formation: Change statements into questions using both tenses.

  • Example:
    • Statement: They are watching a movie.
    • Question: Are they watching a movie?

Present Simple

• Describes habitual actions, general truths, and facts.
• Structure:
  • Affirmative: Subject + base form of the verb (+s/es for third person singular)
  • Negative: Subject + do/does + not + base form of the verb
  • Interrogative: Do/Does + subject + base form of the verb?
• Forms:
  • Affirmative: She plays soccer every Saturday.
  • Negative: He does not like broccoli.
  • Interrogative: Do you read books regularly?
• Usage:
  • Routines: I go to the gym every morning.
  • Facts: Water boils at 100°C.
  • Scheduled events: The train leaves at 6 PM.

Present Continuous

• Describes actions happening right now or ongoing situations.
• Structure:
  • Affirmative: Subject + am/is/are + verb(+ing)
  • Negative: Subject + am/is/are + not + verb(+ing)
  • Interrogative: Am/Is/Are + subject + verb(+ing)?
• Forms:
  • Affirmative: She is playing soccer right now.
  • Negative: He is not eating lunch at the moment.
  • Interrogative: Are you working on your project?
• Usage:
  • Current actions: I am studying for my exam.
  • Temporary situations: They are living in Paris for the summer.
  • Future plans: We are meeting them tomorrow.

Practice Activities

• Fill in the blanks: Convert sentences between present simple and present continuous.
  • Example: She reads every evening. (Present Simple) -> She is reading right now. (Present Continuous)
• Identify the tense: Categorize sentences as present simple or present continuous.
  • Example: He is cooking dinner. (Present Continuous)
• Create sentences: Write original sentences using both tenses on a specific theme.
  • Example Theme: Daily Routines
• Question formation: Turn statements into questions using both tenses.
  • Example: They are watching a movie. (Statement) -> Are they watching a movie? (Question)